Heat exchanger



Nov. 12, 19,35. T, H, 'QELAND 2,021,009

HEAT EXCHANGER Filed May 16, 19:54

m? U -o Q Q \o lNvEN-ronn v :3? NN THOMAS h. /RfLA/vo ATO Patented Nov. l2, 1935 UNITED STATESv PATENT OFFICE 16 Claims.

This invention relates to devices or apparatus for use in heating fluids or plastic substances; and the object of the invention is to provide a heat exchanger consisting of a series of tubular sections in which is formed a continuous coil like passage through which a heating medium or a fluid or other elements to be heated is adapted to pass, the structure of said section being such as to provide uid or other circulating passages of irregular contour disposed outwardly of the tubular section; a further object being to provide a tubular section of such cross sectional form as to provide a relatively large radiating or contact surface providing a quick transfer of the heat from the medium employed; a further object being to provide a heat exchanging unit wherein the series of tubular sections are disposed side by side to form therebetween circulating passages, and whereby each section may be separately removed from the unit for cleaning, repair or replacement; a further object being to provide a unit of the class described wherein the separate sections are subdivided one from the other to provide independent series of circulating passages or chambers; and with these and other objects in View, the invention consists in a device of the class and for the purpose specified, which is simple in construction, efficient in use, and which is constructed as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specication, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional View through one form of heat exchanger which I employ, showing parts of the construction broken away, the section being substantially on the line I-I of Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1, with parts broken away and in section. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an end view of a mcdied form of heat exchanger which I employ, with parts of the construction broken away and in section; and

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 3 showing only a part of the construction and showing a modication.

In Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, I have shown a heat exchanger consisting of a cylindrical casing Il] having a closed end wall I I, the other end of the casing being open. A detachable cover I2 is employed for gaining access to the interior of (Cl. 257-240) fi the casing. Within the cylinder I are two side wall plates I3, I3a which form therewithin a heat exchanging chamber I4 in which a` plurality of tubular units I5, Ia, I5b and I5c are employed. These units rest upon transverse supporting rails I6. Each unit or section I5, I5c, I5b and I5c is of similar construction, and therefore, the brief description of one will apply to all.

Each section includes end wall plates I'I and I8, and a pipe or nipple I9 is coupled with the plate Il and in communication with the upper portion of the section. Another pipe is coupled with the plate l'l and the lower portion of the section. Each of these pipes or nipples is i5 detachably coupled with the wall II through anged nipples Illa, 20a., in which are disposed 'respectivelyvalves 2|, 22 with which manifolds 24, have their separate branches connected so as `to provide intake and. exhaust passages 20 communicating with the four tubular units I5, I5a, lh and I5c, as will be apparent from a consideration of Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing.

'For the purpose of describing one use of my invention, let us assume that the manifold 24 25 constitutes a steam inlet manifold and the manifold 25a steam or condensation exhaust manifold. It will thus be seen that steam will enter the top portion 26 of the respective tubular secr i tions, which portion is T-shaped in cross sectional 30 form, and for the purpose of this description, this passage of the steam may be said to pass forwardly. At the forward end, the steam will then enter the next adjacent part 26a and extend backwardly therethrough and again forwardly through the part 26h, again backwardly through the part 26e, forwardly through the part 25d and then backwardly through the part 26e and out through the pipe 20 and manifold 25. The parts 26 to 26e inclusive are all integrally 40 formed to constitute the tubular sections or units I5, I5c, I5b and I5c, permitting attachment of the units and detachment with respect to the chamber I4.

Also for the purpose of illustrating one use of my invention, let us say that water to be heated will enter the bottom of the casing I 0 through the pipe 21 and will be discharged through the top of the casing through the pipe 28, 29 representing a pipe` for a safety valve gage or other device. The water entering the bottom of the chamber I4a will circulate forwardly and backwardly through said chamber around the sections or units I5, I5c, I 5b and I5c, which result is accomplished by removing portions of the T-head at opposite ends of the separate parts 26 to 26e inthe manner indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing. For example, the part 26e has its T-head removed at the rear end thereof to form side passages 30, whereas the part 26d has passages 30a'at therforward end, the part 26e a passage 3Ilb atV the rearY end, the part 2Gb a passage 30e at the forward end, the part 26a a passage 39d at its rear end, and the part 26 a part 30e at its forward end, thus forming a continuous coil-like passage extending for- Y Wardly betweenthe' parts 25e-26d, backwardly between the parts 25d-.26o Vand so forth until Vit enters the top forward end of the chamber I4 from which the water passes to the rear end thereof and out through the discharge pipe 28 from which it may be lead to a storage tankror to any other supply for which itis intended. It

rwill be understood from a consideration of' Fig. 3 Vof the drawing, that the water circulating coillike passages are disposed at both sides of each :section or unit I5 to I5c inclusive, and by virtue Y of the arrangement of the sections side Vby side,V -relatively wide passages are formed between ad- Vjacent sections.

Y The left half A,of the cross section shown in Fig. ,3 is taken through the sections I5, I5a rear- Y v'wardlyof the passages 30, 30a, '30e and 30e,

whereas the section to the right is taken through k said passages. The passages 30 to 33e inclusive are partially formed by the end plates lI 1, I8, the plate I1 having extending bottom flanges I1a which serve to direct the water primarily through -the coil-like passages formed around the section.

While a little waterimay pass into the compartment formed at the front and' rear ends of the casing', this will not be detrimental nor in any. way affect the successful operation of the heat exchanger, it being desirable .to havethe'plates I8 indepen-dently Ymounted with respect to the separate sections employed to provide for any `expansion and contraction that may prevail in said sections.

In Fig; 4 of the drawing, I haveshcwna slight Y 'modification which consists simply in providing ing passages 39, the steam being introduced into the separate sections 31, 31a and 31h through a VmanifoldV 24a similar toV the manifold 24 but 'having only three discharges instead of four, and

steam'or condensationis discharged' through a manifold 25a similar to the manifold 25.

However, with the construction shown in Fig; 4,

separate. water supply pipes 4l), 40a and V401; "having valves 40e are employed, and Vseparate discharge pipes 4|, 4Ia and 4 Ib all having valves '4Ic are also vemployed so that each section or l unit Vof, the complete exchanger shown'inV Fig. 4

may be independently operated. ForV example, if vone section shouldrequire repair or cleaning,

' for example, the section 31, a supply of steam to this section will be cut olf as well as the supply ,of water but the other two sections 31a, 31h may be operated, it being apparent Vthat separate ,coverplates will be provided for each of the sections;' f

j InFig. 5 of the drawing, I have shown a modi rlcation of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3 Y inclusive, which, like Fig. 1, differs slightlyin construction by providing a double wall'between the respective tubes of the sections, and Fig.5 further differs in that the separate sections I5,v a, |51) and |5c are disposed alternately in inverted relation with respect'to each other, the sections I5b, I5c only'beingV shown, and as seen the section IEc is inverted with respect to the section |51).V With this construction, itV is not l0 essential to employ the cut out portions forming the passages .3U-30e, and the water to be circulated around the sections passes from the bottom Vof the casing upwardly around and be# tween the sections in the irregular'or retarded la path formed by the inverted arrangement of the Y Y sections I5b, I5c, such for example as the pas- Y the extent shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, but

will nevertheless providera'nV effective heat ex- Vchanger providing relatively large exposed areas Aof the steam coils tol-.the Water circulated there- 30 around.

Aside from the different arrangement of the sections, the structure shown in Fig.' 5 is other- Wise similar to that'shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the separate sections being independ--35 ently removable for cleaning, repair and other purposes.

By providing tubular sectionsV or units of theV class described, very effective and efficient heat exchangers may be constructed, the material em- 40 Aployed in the sections or units beingdesigned to suit the various uses to which the same is intended both as to size 4and grade. By using separate sections or units, cleaning and repairs may be accomplished in a quick and eflicient man 45'` ner, especiallyrin Vthe removal of sediment, scale and the like which may'collect around the coils when using the device as a water heater.

With the construction shown in Fig.4 of the drawing, it will also be" apparent that in some 50V uses of a device or apparatus of the kind here illustrated, it may beV practical and desirable to provide a continuous circulation through the sectionssl, 31a, 31h, that is to say, a circulation which would extend from the section 31 tothe 55 section 31a and then to the section 31h, and in like manner, circulation through, the chambers 34, 35 and 36 may be likewise continuous; or,A in either case, one of the circulationsfmaybe continuous and the other independent with dif- 60 ferent degrees of temperature controlling the Vindependent circulations, especially where it is `desirable to gradually increase,Y or Ydecreasejthe temperature applied to a uid, syrup compound, gas or the like. At this time, it will also be 65 apparentrthat my invention is notrnecessarily limited to any" particular number of lthe separate sections employed. f V Y 'Y It will also be understood that my invention is not necessarily limited to the circulation of 70,

steam and water through the device as the heatV exchanger is adaptable for use in heating various kinds and classe-s of fluids, semi-uids and plastic substances, it being also understood that various types of heating mediums may be employed T5 and the .heat medium may be circulated either through the sections or therearound, it being further apparent that by virtue of the structure 'and design of my improved device, the same is adaptable for use as a condenser, and it will also be apparent that various changes in and modifications of the construction herein shown and described may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

I-Iaving fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patents, is:

1. In heat exchangers of the yclass described, a circulating unit consisting of a unitary tubular body having a continuous circulating passage extending forwardly and backwardly therethrough, said body hav-ing outwardly projecting tubular portions at opposed sides thereof spaced one from the other to form corresponding grooves therebetween forming in conjunction with adjacent side walls circulating passages outwardly of said body, and means at opposed ends of the body for placing the grooves on each side of the body in communication with each other to form a continuous-zig-zag circulating passage at each side of said body.

2. In a heat exchanger of the class described, a tubular circulating unit consisting of elongated tubular portions disposed one adjacent the other, said portions being of irregular cross sectional contour, means at opposed ends of the tubular portions for placing the same in communication with each other to form in said unit a continuous substantially coil-like circulating passage therethrough, and each tubular portion of the unit being T-shaped in cross sectional form to provide between the T-heads of adjacent tubular portions longitudinal grooves at opposite sides of the unit.

3. In a heat exchanger of the class described, a tubular circulating unit consisting of elongated tubular portions disposed one adjacent the other,

said portions being of irregular cross sectional contour, means at opposed ends of the tubular portions for placing the same in communication with each other to form in said unit a continuous substantially coil-like circulating passage therethrough, each tubular portion of the unit being T-shaped in cross sectional form to provide between the T-heads of adjacent tubular portions longitudinal grooves at opposite sides of the unit, and the T-heads of the tubular portions being cut out alternately at opposed ends thereof to place adjacent grooves in communication 'with each other alternately at opposed ends of the unit to provide at each side of the unit and in conjunction with an adjacent wall a continuous coil-like circulating passage.

4. In a heat exchanger of the class described, a tubular circulating unit consisting of elongated tubular portions disposed one adjacent the other, said portions being of irregular cross sectional contour, means at opposed ends of the tubular portions for placing the same in communication with each other to form in said unit a continuous substantially coil-like circulating passage therethrough, each tubular portion of the unit being T-shaped in cross sectional form to provide between the T-heads of adjacent tubular portions longitudinal grooves at opposite sides of the unit, the T-heads of the tubular portions being cut out alternately at opposed ends thereof to place adjacent grooves in communication with each otheralternately at opposed ends of the unit and a plurality of said units being disposed side by `side in' abutting relation with the zig-zag vpassages on the sides thereof in registering alinement with each other to provide at each side of the unit a continuous coil-like circulating passage.

5. In a heat exchanger of the class described, a tubular circulating unit consisting of elongated tubular portions disposed one adjacent the other, l0 said portions being of irregular cross sectional contour, means at opposed ends of the tubular portions for placing the same in communication with each other to form in said unit a continuous substantially coil-like circulating passage 15 therethrough, each tubular portion of the unit being T-shaped in cross sectional form to provide between the T-heads of adjacent tubular portions longitudinal grooves at opposite sides of the unit, the T-heads of the tubular portions being 20 cut out alternately at opposed ends thereof to place adjacent grooves in communication with ea-ch other alternately at opposed ends of the unit, ,a plurality of said units being disposed side by side in abutting relation with the zig-zag passages on the sides thereof in registering alinement with each other to provide at each side of the unit a continuous coil-like circulating passage, and means for circulating a heating medium and an element or fluid to be heated, one through the passages of said units and the other through the passages formed around the units.

6. A heat exchanger of the class described comprising a casing open at o-ne side, a cover closing said opening, a plurality of tubular circulating units mounted in the casing through the open side thereof, said units being independently attachable and detachable with respect to the casing, each unit having a continuous coil-like circulating passage therein extending from the top to the bottom thereof, and means on said units for defining outwardly of the sides of the unit and independently of the circulating passages thereof other coil-like circulating passages opening into the casing. `i5

7. A device of the classvdescribed comprising a casing, a plurality of independent tubular sections in said casing, each section having a continuous circulating passage extending forwardly and backwardly therethrough a number of times from the top to the bottom of said section, and means on said sections when mounted inthe casing forming in conjunction with the casing and adjacent sections other independent circulating passages on opposed side walls of said sections.

8. A device of the class described comprising a casing, a plurality of independent tubular sections in said casing, each section having a continuous circulating passage extending forwardly and backwardly therethrough a number of times from the top to the bottom of said section, means on said sections when mounted in the casing forming in conjunction with the casing and adjacent sections other independent circulating passages on opposed side walls of said sections, means coupled with the ends of the circulating passages of said sections for forming intakes and discharges therefor, and intake and discharge pipes on the casing communicating with the intake and discharge ends of the second named circulating passages.

9. A device of the class described comprising a casing, a plurality of independent tubular sections in said casing, each section having a congrooves therebetween in l communication with tinuous circulating passage extending Y*forwardly and backwardly therethrough .a number of times Vfrom the top to the bottom of said section, means on said 4sections when mounted in, the casing forming inconjunction with the casing and adjacent sections other independent circulating passages on opposed side walls of said sections, means coupled with the ends oi the circulating passages of said sections for forming intakes and discharges therefor, intake and discharge pipes on the casing communicating with the intake and discharge ends of the second named circulating passages, and means whereby the separate sections may be attached and detached with respect to said casing.

10. In heat exchangers of the class described, a circulating unit consisting of a unitary Vtubular body having a continuous circulating passsage extending forwardly and backwardly therethrough a number of times from theV top to theV bottom of said body, and the cross sectional form of said body being such as to form a plurality of spaced projecting wall portions at opposite sides of said body, said projecting wall portions forming in conjunction with adjacent Y side walls independent circulating grooves outwardly of the side walls oi said body;

11. In heat exchangers of the class described, a circulating unit consisting of a unitary tubular body havingY a continuous circulating passage extending forwardly and backwardly therethrough a number of times from the top to the bottom of said body, and said body having outwardly projecting tubular portions at opposite sides thereof spaced one from therother to form ber continuous zig-zag circulating passages, and

said unit comprising a unitary body having a continuous circulating passage independent of the'passages in said casing and extending forwardly and backwardly through said unit a nurnber of times from the top to the bottom thereof.V

13. A heat exchanger'of the class described Y tions.

' comprising a`casing,a chamber insaid casing, means for introducinga substance into the bottom. of said chamber and means fordischarging the same through the top thereof, a circulating unit in said chamber forming betweenl the top' and bottom thereof and'side walls of said chamber continuous zig-zag circulating passages, said Y unit comprising a unitary body having a continuous circulating passage independent ofthe passagesin said casing andextending forwardly and backwardly through said unit a number of times from the top to theV bottom thereof, and

means at the opposed ends of the passage of said unit for ,introducingand discharging a predetermined substance Vor vapor therethrough. c 14. In a heat exchangerof the' class described, a tubular circulating unit consisting -of Velongated'V tubular portions Y disposed one directly Y upon the other, said portions being of` substan-Y tially T-shaped Vcross sectional contour; and

ineans at opposite ends of the tubular portions for placing the same in communication with each K other to form in said unita continuous substantially coil-like circulating passage extending for'- wardly and backwardly therethrough a numberl 15. In a heat exchanger of the class described,V

a circulating unit comprising a unitary tubular body having a continuous circulatingV passage extending forwardly Vand backwardly `therethrough a number of times from the top `to the bottom of saidrbody, opposite sidewalls of said body having spaced tubular projections of aV width substantially equalto the width of the tubular body, the tubular projections on the side walls forming onk said walls within the boundaries of vsaid projections spaced grooves, opposite ends of alternate tubular projections being fashioned to Vplace adjacent grooveslin communication to form a continuous `coil-like passage Yat.

opposite sides of said body within theboundaries Y,

of said projecting tubular portions.

16. InY a heat exchanger ofthe classY described,

a circulating unit comprising a unitary tubular body, opposite side wallsVV of said body having spaced tubular projections Vforming on said walls within the boundaries of saidY projections spaced grooves, means at opposite ends of alternate' grooves for placing the ends of adjacent grooves in communication to forma continuous coillike passage at opposite sides of said body within the boundaries of said projecting tubular por- THOMAS H. IRELAND.V 

